Immobilized Biocatalysts

Biotechnological processes often require the use of immobilized biocatalysts. This translation of the most successful German edition introduces the theoretical background of this rapidly growing field followed by a detailed description of the various techniques of immobilizing, characterizing, and using biocatalysts. The comprehensive discussion of possible applications in industrial processes and in basic research results in a practical guide for everyone involved in these techniques. Furthermore, some selected experiments are added in order to facilitate the understanding of the theoretical reports.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Immobilized Biocatalysts" that was published in Catalysts

Offers practical examples of bioreactor systems that use immobilized biocatalysts - including enzymes and microbial cells - that have been implemented on the industrial level in Japan and Denmark. The book provides information on the current status of successful new bioreactor technologies.

The book covers the fundamentals of the field of biocatalysis that are not treated in such detail (or even not at all) in existing biocatalysis books or biochemistry textbooks. It of course does not substitute existing biochemistry textbooks but will serve a suitable supplement as it discusses biochemical fundamentals in connection with the respective topics.With focus on the interdisciplinary nature of biocatalysis, the book contains many aspects of fundamental organic chemistry and some of inorganic chemistry as well, which should make it interesting not only for biochemistry but also for chemistry students. An important theme being emphasized in the book is that applied biocatalysis is one of the main prerequisites for a sustainable development.The topics covered ranges from basic enzyme chemistry (biosynthesis, structure, properties, interaction forces, kinetics) to a detailed description of catalytic mechanisms. It covers the fundamentals of the different enzyme classes together with their applications in native and in immobilized state or in the form of whole cells in aqueous as well as non-conventional media. Topics such as catalytic antibodies, nucleic acid catalysts, non-ribosomal peptide synthesis, evolutionary methods, and the design of cells are also included.

This book describes the essential steps in the development of biocatalytic processes from concept to completion. It is a carefully integrated text which combines the fundamentals of biocatalysis with technological experience and in-depth commercial case studies. The book starts with an introductory look at the characteristics and present applications of biocatalysts, followed by more detailed overviews of these areas.

This second edition of a bestselling textbook offers an instructive and comprehensive overview of our current knowledge of biocatalysis and enzyme technology. The book now contains about 40% more printed content. Three chapters are completely new, while the others have been thoroughly updated, and a section with problems and solutions as well as new case studies have been added. Following an introduction to the history of enzyme applications, the text goes on to cover in depth enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, production, recovery, characterization and design by protein engineering. The authors treat a broad range of applications of soluble and immobilized biocatalysts, including wholecell systems, the use of non-aqueous reaction systems, applications in organic synthesis, bioreactor design and reaction engineering. Methods to estimate the sustainability, important internet resources and their evaluation, and legislation concerning the use of biocatalysts are also covered.

Biocatalysts (enzymes and whole cells) catalyze reactions with the advantage of superior chemo-, regio-, and stereo-specificity in mild conditions, thereby avoiding the production of larger amounts of waste. The currently great practical importance of immobilized biocatalysts is expressed by the high number of scientific publications together with an ever increasing number of different applications in this area of enzyme technology. This mainly relies on new research results with respect to immobilization techniques and the development of advanced carrier materials designed for this purpose. The employment of immobilized biocatalysts is one of the most effective and powerful tools used in the modern chemical industry as a prerequisite for an economical and environmentally friendly production process. The book presented here reflects the currently great practical importance of immobilized biocatalysts by means of a variety of actual examples. They comprise the immobilization of enzymes from different enzyme classes and a variety of whole cells with particular importance for the production of compounds for application in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industry (in part from renewable resources), biohydrogen production, the fabrication of biosensors, and the treatment of waste water. Several articles introduce new research results with respect to immobilization techniques and the development of carrier materials designed for this purpose. In addition, review articles provide among others an overview of the industrial application of immobilized biocatalysts in various areas including the energy sector, or discuss the many advantages of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as platforms for enzyme immobilization. They deal with the pros and cons of many inorganic, organic, hybrid and composite materials, including nano-supports, used for the immobilization of biocatalysts, and with the development of engineered strains applied to the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to platform chemicals by consolidated bioprocessing. In summary, the articles meet the state of the art of both scientific and technical standards and the book is indispensable for all those involved in the various aspects of this topic.

Biocatalyst Immobilization: Foundations and Applications provides a comprehensive overview of biocatalytic immobilization processes, as well as methods for study, characterization and application. Early chapters discuss current progress in enzyme immobilization and methods for selecting and pretreating enzymes prior to immobilization, with an emphasis on navigating common challenges and employing enzyme supports and post immobilization treatments to impact enzymatic activity. Process-based chapters instruct on measuring and reporting on enzyme immobilization efficiency, protein final content, quantification of reaction products, and the use of nanomaterials to characterize immobilized enzymes. Later chapters examine recent advances, including novel enzymatic reactors, multi-enzymatic biocatalysts, enzymatic biosensors, whole cell immobilization, the industrial application of immobilized enzymes, and perspectives on future trends. Provides a thorough overview of biocatalyst and enzyme immobilization for research and practical application Presents methods based content that instructs in enzyme immobilization pretreatment, enzyme supports, post immobilization treatments, measuring enzyme immobilization efficiency, quantification of reaction products, and whole cell immobilization Features chapter contributions from international leaders in the field

This reference book originates from the interdisciplinary research cooperation between academia and industry. In three distinct parts, latest results from basic research on stable enzymes are explained and brought into context with possible industrial applications. Downstream processing technology as well as biocatalytic and biotechnological production processes from global players display the enormous potential of biocatalysts. Application of "extreme" reaction conditions (i.e. unconventional, such as high temperature, pressure, and pH value) - biocatalysts are normally used within a well defined process window - leads to novel synthetic effects. Both novel enzyme systems and the synthetic routes in which they can be applied are made accessible to the reader. In addition, the complementary innovative process technology under unconventional conditions is highlighted by latest examples from biotech industry.

The European project MINOTAURUS explored innovative bio-processes to eliminate emerging and classic organic pollutants. These bio-processes are all based on the concept of immobilization of biocatalysts (microorganisms and enzymes) and encompass bioaugmentation, enzyme technology, rhizoremediation with halophytes, and a bioelectrochemical remediation process. The immobilization-based technologies are applied as engineered ex situ treatment systems as well as natural systems in situ for the bioremediation of groundwater, wastewater and soil. The selection and application of tailored physico-chemical, molecularbiological and ecotoxicological monitoring tools combined with a rational understanding of engineering, enzymology and microbial physiology is a pertinent approach to open the black-box of the selected technologies. Reliable process monitoring constitutes the basis for developing and refining biodegradation kinetics models, which in turn improve the predictability of performances to be achieved with technologies. Immobilised Biocatalysts for Bioremediation of Groundwater and Wastewater delivers insight into the concepts and performance of a series of remediation approaches. A key strength of this book is to deliver results from lab-scale through to piloting at different European reference sites. It further suggests frameworks for structuring and making evidence-based decisions for the most appropriate bioremediation measures.